Aqueous emulsion polymers, their preparation and use

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides aqueous emulsion polymers comprising
         (A) monomers A   (B) at least one (meth)acrylate with olefinically unsaturated side groups (monomers B), and   (C) at least one photoinitiator, and also the use thereof in coating materials, more particularly in exterior architectural paints.

The present invention provides aqueous emulsion polymers comprising

-   -   (A) monomers A    -   (B) at least one (meth)acrylate with olefinically unsaturated        side groups (monomers B), and    -   (C) at least one photoinitiator.

The present invention likewise provides coating materials comprising thepolymer dispersions of the invention, and also their preparation anduse, more particularly in exterior architectural paints. The coatingmaterials may either be free from organic solvents or comprise organicsolvents. Another embodiment of the invention are coating materialswhich comprise as binders polymer dispersions of the invention havingglass transition temperatures<0° C., for elastic, crack-bridgingcoatings. Coatings based on the above-described coating materials arenotable for improved soil pickup resistance.

Coatings outdoors, as for example on the outsides of buildings, areexposed to wind and weather, and, over time, pick up particles of soilfrom the environment. Soiled coatings of this kind are indeed stillcapable of protecting the substrate, whether plaster or masonry, fromeffects of weathering. Frequently, however, exterior architecturalcoatings are renovated because soiling has rendered them gray andunattractive. This results in increased costs for maintenance.

Whether a coating outdoors becomes soiled quickly or slowly is dependenton a multiplicity of factors, such as, firstly, on air pollution,climatic conditions, and so on, but also, secondly, on the roughness ofthe coating and on the interaction between soil particles and thecoating's surface. One important parameter in this context is thehardness of the binder polymer. Binders which dry to form soft or eventacky films pick up soil more quickly than those with a hard surface.The problem of soiling is therefore apparent particularly with coatingmaterials which comprise soft binder polymers, which are thosesolvent-free coating materials, for example, whose binders stillcoalesce at processing temperatures down to a little above 0° C., toform a film, and coating materials for elastic coatings. Elasticcoatings are characterized by a high degree of elasticity. This qualityis utilized to give the elastic coatings sufficient crack-bridgingcapacity even at low temperatures (−10° C.). The glass transitiontemperature of the polymer is normally adjusted by way of the monomercomposition to temperatures below −10° C. Polymers with a low glasstransition temperature have an increased propensity toward soil pickup.This can be prevented using crosslinking systems which make the polymermore elastic and possibly harder (glass transition temperature israised). State of the art, for example, is metal salt crosslinking or UVcrosslinking. The subsequent addition of calcium ions results incrosslinking, as described by B. G. Bufkin and J. R. Grawe in J.Coatings Tech., 1978 50(644), 83. One possible disadvantage might beincreased sensitivity to water. UV crosslinking and/or daylightcrosslinking is achieved through addition of benzophenone and/or itsderivatives, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,320,198, EP 100 00, EP 522789, and EP 1 147 139. EP 1 845 142 describes the addition of aphotoinitiator to AAEM-containing dispersions.

Other ways of achieving high elasticity and good water vaporpermeability include the use of silicones, as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,066,520, for example. The use of fluoroacrylates results in veryhydrophobic coatings which may likewise repel soil (EP 890 621).

It was an object of the present invention to develop an aqueuosdispersion which is suitable as a binder in coating compositions, moreparticularly in elastic coating compositions, and which in the coatingensures sufficient elasticity and water resistance in tandem with highsoil pickup resistance and water vapor permeability.

Surprisingly, aqueous emulsion polymers comprising

-   -   (A) monomers A,    -   (B) at least one (meth)acrylate with olefinically unsaturated        side groups (monomers B), and    -   (C) at least one photoinitiator (component C)

as binders are notable for high dirt pickup resistance withoutsubstantially affecting film extension overall.

Unless indicated otherwise, the following general definitions apply inthe context of the present invention:

C₁-C₄ alkyl is a linear or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 4 carbonatoms. This is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl,isobutyl, and tert-butyl.

C₁-C₁₈ alkyl is a linear or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 12 carbonatoms. Examples thereof are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl,sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, heptyl,octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, nonyl, decyl, 2-propylheptyl,4-methyl-2-propylhexyl, undecyl, dodecyl, and their constitutionalisomers.

Aryl is a carbocylic aromatic radical having 6 to 14 carbon atoms, suchas phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl or phenanthrenyl. Aryl preferably isphenyl or naphthyl and more particularly is phenyl.

C₁-C₁₈ alkylaryl is C₁-C₁₈ alkyl as defined above where one hydrogenatom has been replaced by an aryl group. Examples are benzyl, phenethyl,and the like.

A primary amino group is understood to be a radical —NH₂.

The observations below concerning preferred embodiments of the processof the invention, more particularly concerning the monomers and otherreaction components used in accordance with the invention, andconcerning the polymers obtainable by the process and also concerningtheir use, apply not only on their own, taken per se, but also, inparticular, in any conceivable combination with one another.

Aqueous emulsion polymers are familiar to the skilled person and areprepared, for example, in the form of an aqueous polymer dispersion byfree-radically initiated aqueous emulsion polymerization ofethylenically unsaturated monomers. This method has been widelydescribed before now and is therefore sufficiently well known to theskilled person [cf., e.g., Encyclopedia of Polymer Science andEngineering, vol. 8, pages 659 to 677, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1987;D.C. Blackley, Emulsion Polymerisation, pages 155 to 465, AppliedScience Publishers, Ltd., Essex, 1975; D.C Blackley, Polymer Latices,2nd Edition, vol. 1, pages 33 to 415, Chapman & Hall, 1997; H. Warson,The Applications of Synthetic Resin Emulsions, pages 49 to 244, ErnestBenn, Ltd., London, 1972; J. Piirma, Emulsion Polymerisation, pages 1 to287, Academic Press, 1982; F. Hölscher, Dispersionen synthetischerHochpolymerer, pages 1 to 160, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1969, and patentspecification DE-A 40 03 422]. The free-radically initiated aqueousemulsion polymerization is typically accomplished by dispersing theethylenically unsaturated monomers in the aqueous medium, generallyusing dispersing assistants, such as emulsifiers and/or protectivecolloids, and polymerizing them by means of at least one water-solublefree-radical polymerization initiator. Frequently, in the aqueouspolymer dispersions obtained, the residual amounts of unreactedethylenically unsaturated monomers are lowered by chemical and/orphysical methods that are likewise known to the skilled person [see, forexample, EP-A 771328, DE-A 19624299, DE-A 19621027, DE-A 19741184, DE-A19741187, DE-A 19805122, DE-A 19828183, DE-A 19839199, DE-A 19840586 and19847115], the polymer solids content is adjusted to a desired level bydilution or concentration, or other customary additives, such asbactericidal, foam-modifying or viscosity-modifying additives, are addedto the aqueous polymer dispersion.

In addition to these so-called primary aqueous polymer dispersions, theskilled person is also aware of so-called secondary aqueous polymerdispersions. By these are meant those aqueous polymer dispersions inwhose preparation the polymer is produced outside of the aqueousdispersion medium, being located, for example, in solution in a suitablenonaqueous solvent. This solution is then transferred into the aqueousdispersion medium, and the solvent is separated off, generally bydistillation, while dispersion takes place.

Preferably, though, it is preferred for primary aqueous dispersions tobe used.

In accordance with the invention, for the purposes of the presentprocess, dispersants are used which maintain not only the monomerdroplets but also the resultant polymer particles in dispersedistribution in the aqueous medium and so ensure the stability of theaqueous polymer dispersion produced. Suitable dispersants include notonly the protective colloids typically used to implement free-radicalaqueous emulsion polymerizations, but also emulsifiers.

Examples of suitable protective colloids include polyvinyl alcohols,polyalkylene glycols, alkali metal salts of polyacrylic acids andpolymethacrylic acids, gelatin derivatives or copolymers comprisingacrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic anhydride,2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and/or 4-styrenesulfonic acid,and the alkali metal salts of such copolymers, and also homopolymers andcopolymers comprising N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinylcaprolactam,N-vinylcarbazole, 1-vinylimidazole, 2-vinylimidazole, 2-vinylpyridine,4-vinylpyridine, acrylamide, methacrylamide, amino-bearing acrylates,methacrylates, acrylamides and/or methacrylamides. An exhaustivedescription of further suitable protective colloids is found inHouben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie, volume XIV/1,Makromolekulare Stoffe [Macromolecular Compounds], Georg-Thieme-Verlag,Stuttgart, 1961, pages 411 to 420.

It will be appreciated that mixtures of protective colloids and/oremulsifiers as well can be used. They may be anionic, cationic ornonionic in nature. It will be appreciated that, when using mixtures ofsurface-active substances, the individual components must be compatiblewith one another, something which in case of doubt can be ascertained bymeans of a few preliminary tests. Generally speaking, anionicemulsifiers are compatible with one another and with nonionicemulsifiers. The same is true of cationic emulsifiers, whereas anionicand cationic emulsifiers are usually not compatible with one another. Anoverview of suitable emulsifiers is found in Houben-Weyl, Methoden derorganischen Chemie, volume XIV/1, Makromolekulare Stoffe [MacromolecularCompounds], Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart, 1961, pages 192 to 208.

Preferably, however, emulsifiers exclusively are used as dispersants inaccordance with the invention.

Customary nonionic emulsifiers are, for example, ethoxylated mono-, di-,and tri-alkylphenols (EO degree: 3 to 50, alkyl radical: C₄ to C₁₂) andalso ethoxylated fatty alcohols (EO degree: 3 to 80; alkyl radical: C₈to C₃₆). Examples thereof are the Lutensol® A grades (C₁₂C₁₄ fattyalcohol ethoxylates, EO degree: 3 to 8), Lutensol® AO grades (C₁₃C₁₅ oxoalcohol ethoxylates, EO degree: 3 to 30), Lutensol® AT grades (C₁₆C₁₈fatty alcohol ethoxylates, EO degree: 11 to 80), Lutensol® ON grades(C₁₀ oxo alcohol ethoxylates, EO degree 3 to 11), and Lutensol® TOgrades (C₁₃ oxo alcohol ethoxylates, EO degree: 3 to 20), all from BASFSE.

Typical anionic emulsifiers are, for example, alkali metal salts andammonium salts of alkyl sulfates (alkyl radical: C₈ to C₁₂), of sulfuricmonoesters with ethoxylated alkanols (EO degree: 4 to 30, alkyl radical:C₁₂ to C₁₈) and ethoxylated alkylphenols (EO degree: 3 to 50, alkylradical: C₄ to C₁₂), of alkylsulfonic acids (alkyl radical: C₁₂ to C₁₈),and of alkylarylsulfonic acids (alkyl radical: C₉ to C₁₈).

Compounds which have proven suitable as further anionic emulsifiers are,additionally, compounds of the general formula (I)

in which R¹ and R² are hydrogen atoms or C₄ to C₂₄ alkyl but are notsimultaneously hydrogen atoms, and M¹ and M² can be alkali metal ionsand/or ammonium ions. In the general formula (I) R¹ and R² arepreferably linear or branched alkyl radicals having 6 to 18 carbonatoms, in particular having 6, 12, and 16 carbon atoms, or hydrogen, butR¹ and R² are not both simultaneously hydrogen atoms. M¹ and M² arepreferably sodium, potassium or ammonium, particular preference beinggiven to sodium. Particularly advantageous compounds (I) are those inwhich M¹ and M² are sodium, R¹ is a branched alkyl radical of 12 carbonatoms and, R² is a hydrogen atom or R¹. Frequently use is made oftechnical mixtures containing a fraction of 50% to 90% by weight of themonoalkylated product, an example being Dowfax® 2A1 (brand of the DowChemical Company). The compounds (I) are common knowledge, from U.S.Pat. No. 4,269,749 for example, and are available commercially.

Suitable cation-active emulsifiers are generally C₆ to C₁₈ alkyl-, C₆ toC₁₈ alkylaryl- or heterocyclyl-containing primary, secondary, tertiaryor quaternary ammonium salts, alkanolammonium salts, pyridinium salts,imidazolinium salts, oxazolinium salts, morpholinium salts, thiazoliniumsalts, and salts of amine oxides, quinolinium salts, isoquinoliniumsalts, tropylium salts, sulfonium salts and phosphonium salts. Examplesthat may be mentioned include dodecylammonium acetate or thecorresponding sulfate, the sulfates or acetates of the variousparaffinic acid 2-(N,N,N-trimethylammonio)ethyl esters,N-cetylpyridinium sulfate, N-laurylpyridinium sulfate, andN-cetyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium sulfate,N-dodecyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium sulfate,N-octyl-N,N,N-trimethlyammonium sulfate,N,N-distearyl-N,N-dimethylammonium sulfate, and the Gemini surfactantN,N′-(lauryldimethyl)ethylenediamine disulfate, ethoxylatedtallowalkyl-N-methylammonium sulfate and ethoxylated oleylamine (forexample Uniperol® AC from BASF SE, about 12 ethylene oxide units).Numerous further examples are found in H. Stache, Tensid-Taschenbuch,Carl-Hanser-Verlag, Munich, Vienna, 1981 and in McCutcheon's,Emulsifiers & Detergents, MC Publishing Company, Glen Rock, 1989. It isadvantageous if the anionic counter-groups are, as far as possible, oflow nucleophilicity, such as, for example, perchlorate, sulfate,phosphate, nitrate, and carboxylates, such as acetate, trifluoroacetate,trichloroacetate, propionate, oxalate, citrate, and benzoate, and alsoconjugated anions of organic sulfonic acids, such as methylsulfonate,trifluoromethylsulfonate, and para-toluenesulfonate, and additionallytetrafluoroborate, tetraphenylborate, tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate,tetrakis[bis(3,5-trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate, hexafluorophosphate,hexafluoroarsenate or hexafluoroantimonate.

The emulsifiers used with preference as dispersants are employedadvantageously in a total amount ≧0.1% and ≦10%, preferably ≧0.1% and≦5%, in particular ≧0.5% and ≦4%, by weight, based in each case on thetotal monomer amount.

The total amount of protective colloids used as dispersants,additionally to or in lieu of the emulsifiers, is often ≧0.1% and ≦10%and frequently ≧0.2% and ≦7%, by weight, based in each case on the totalmonomer amount.

It is preferred, however, to use anionic and/or nonionic emulsifiers asdispersants.

If the particle size of the polymer particles to be prepared by means ofthe free-radically initiated aqueous emulsion polymerization is to beset in a targeted way, the approach then generally taken is to use whatis called a polymer seed, which either has been prepared beforehand withother monomers, separately (exogenous polymer seed), or has beenprepared in situ by partial polymerization of the monomers to bepolymerized.

Preparing an aqueous polymer dispersion using an in situ polymer seed isfamiliar to the skilled person (see, for example, DE-A 19609509, EP-A690882, EP-A 710680, EP-A 1125949, EP-A 1294816, EP-A 1614732, WO-A03/29300) and takes place generally, prior to the actual emulsionpolymerization, a small portion of the monomer mixture used for theemulsion polymerization is introduced as an initial charge in theaqueous polymerization medium and is free-radically polymerized in thepresence of a large amount of emulsifier.

The particle size of the emulsion polymers of the invention is setpreferably with the aid of an exogenous polymer seed.

The free-radically initiated aqueous emulsion polymerization is startedoff by means of a free-radical polymerization initiator. Initiators mayin principle include both peroxides and azo compounds. It will beappreciated that redox initiator systems as well are suitable. Peroxidesused may in principle be inorganic peroxides, such as hydrogen peroxideor peroxodisulfates, such as the mono- or di-alkali metal or -ammoniumsalts of peroxodisulfuric acid, such as their mono- and di-sodium,-potassium or -ammonium salts, for example, or organic peroxides, suchas alkyl hydroperoxides, examples being tert-butyl, p-menthyl, and cumylhydroperoxide, and also dialkyl or diaryl peroxides, such asdi-tert-butyl peroxide or dicumyl peroxide. As an azo compound use ismade substantially of 2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitrile),2,2′-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile), and2,2′-azobis(amidinopropyl)dihydrochloride (AIBA, corresponding to V-50from Wako Chemicals). Suitable oxidizing agents for redox initiatorsystems include substantially the aforementioned peroxides. Ascorresponding reducing agents it is possible to use sulfur compoundswith a low oxidation state, such as alkali metal sulfites, examplesbeing potassium and/or sodium sulfite, alkali metal hydrogensulfites,examples being potassium and/or sodium hydrogensulfite, alkali metalmetabisulfites, examples being potassium and/or sodium metabisulfite,formaldehyde-sulfoxylates, examples being potassium and/or sodiumformaldehyde-sulfoxylate, alkali metal salts, especially potassium saltsand/or sodium salts, aliphatic sulfinic acids, and alkali metalhydrogensulfides, such as potassium and/or sodium hydrogensulfide, saltsof polyvalent metals, such as iron(II) sulfate, iron(II) ammoniumsulfate, iron(II) phosphate, endiols, such as dihydroxymaleic acid,benzoin and/or ascorbic acid, and reducing saccharides, such as sorbose,glucose, fructose and/or dihydroxyacetone. In general the amount offree-radical initiator used, based on the total monomer amount, is 0.01%to 5%, preferably 0.1% to 3%, and more preferably 0.2% to 1.5% byweight.

The total amount of the free-radical initiator can be included in theinitial charge in the aqueous polymerization medium before thepolymerization reaction is initiated. It is also possible, however,optionally to include only a portion of the free-radical initiator inthe initial charge in the aqueous polymerization medium before thepolymerization reaction is initiated, and then, under polymerizationconditions, during the free-radical emulsion polymerization of theinvention, to add the entirety or, if applicable, any remainder inaccordance with the rate of its consumption, such addition taking placediscontinuously in one or more portions or continuously with constant orvarying flow rates.

By initiation of the polymerization reaction is meant the start of thepolymerization reaction of the monomers present in the aqueouspolymerization medium, following formation of free radicals by thefree-radical initiator. The polymerization reaction may be initiated byaddition of free-radical initiator to the aqueous polymerization mediumin the polymerization vessel under polymerization conditions. It is alsopossible, however, for a portion or the entirety of the free-radicalinitiator to be added to the aqueous polymerization medium in thepolymerization vessel, optionally comprising monomers A and B includedin the initial charge, under conditions which are not suitable fortriggering a polymerization reaction, such as at low temperature, forexample, and thereafter to bring about polymerization conditions in theaqueous polymerization medium. By polymerization conditions are meant,generally speaking, those temperatures and pressures under which thefree-radically initiated aqueous emulsion polymerization proceeds at asufficient polymerization rate. They are dependent, in particular, onthe free-radical initiator used. Advantageously, the nature and amountof the free-radical initiator, and the polymerization temperature andpolymerization pressure, are selected such that there are alwayssufficient initiating radicals available to initiate and maintain thepolymerization reaction.

Suitable reaction temperatures for the free-radical aqueous emulsionpolymerization of the invention embrace the entire range from 0 to 170°C. In general the temperatures used are 50 to 120° C., frequently 60 to110° C., and often 70 to 100° C. The free-radical aqueous emulsionpolymerization of the invention can be carried out at a pressure lessthan, equal to or greater than 1 atm (atmosphere pressure), and thepolymerization temperature may consequently exceed 100° C. and amount toup to 170° C. Highly volatile monomers, such as, for example, ethylene,butadiene or vinyl chloride, are preferably polymerized undersuperatmospheric pressure. This pressure may adopt values of 1.2, 1.5,2, 5, 10 or 15 bar (absolute) or even higher. Where emulsionpolymerizations are carried out under subatmospheric pressure, pressuresof 950 mbar, frequently of 900 mbar, and often 850 mbar (absolute) areset. The free-radical aqueous emulsion polymerization of the inventionis conducted advantageously at 1 atm in the absence of oxygen, such asunder an inert gas atmosphere, such as under nitrogen or argon, forexample.

The aqueous reaction medium may in principle also comprise, in minoramounts (≦5% by weight), water-soluble organic solvents, such asmethanol, ethanol, isopropanol, butanols, pentanols, but also acetone,etc. With preference, however, the process of the invention is carriedout in the absence of such solvents.

Besides the aforementioned components it is also possible optionally inthe process of the invention to use free-radical chain transfercompounds in order to reduce or to control the molecular weight of thepolymers obtainable by means of the polymerization. Suitable compoundsin this context include substantially aliphatic and/or araliphatichalogen compounds, such as n-butyl chloride, n-butyl bromide, n-butyliodide, methylene chloride, ethylene dichloride, chloroform, bromoform,bromotrichloromethane, dibromodichioromethane, carbon tetrachloride,carbon tetrabromide, benzyl chloride, benzyl bromide, organic thiocompounds, such as primary, secondary or tertiary aliphatic thiols, suchas ethanethiol, n-propanethiol, 2-propanethiol, n-butanethiol,2-butanethiol, 2-methyl-2-propanethiol, n-pentanethiol, 2-pentanethiol,3-pentanethiol, 2-methyl-2-butanethiol, 3-methyl-2-butanethiol,n-hexanethiol, 2-hexanethiol, 3-hexanethiol, 2-methyl-2-pentanethiol,3-methyl-2-pentanethiol, 4-methyl-2-pentanethiol,2-methyl-3-pentanethiol, 3-methyl-3-pentanethiol, 2-ethylbutanethiol,2-ethyl-2-butanethiol, n-heptanethiol and its isomers, n-octanethiol andits isomers, n-nonanethiol and its isomers, n-decanethiol and itsisomers, n-undecanethiol and its isomers, n-dodecanethiol and itsisomers, n-tridecanethiol and its isomers, substituted thiols, such as2-hydroxyethanethiol, aromatic thiols, such as benzenethiol, ortho-,meta-, or para-methylbenzenethiol, and also all other sulfur compoundsdescribed in the Polymer Handbook, 3rd edition, 1989, J. Brandrup and E.H. Immergut, John Wiley & Sons, Section II, pages 133-41, but alsoaliphatic and/or aromatic aldehydes, such as acetaldehyde,propionaldehyde and/or benzaldehyde, unsaturated fatty acids, such asoleic acid, dienes containing nonconjugated double bonds, such asdivinylmethane or vinylcyclohexane, or hydrocarbons having readilyabstractable hydrogen atoms, such as toluene. It is, however, alsopossible to use mixtures of mutually compatible aforementionedfree-radical chain transfer compounds.

The total amount of free-radical chain transfer compounds usedoptionally in the process of the invention, based on the total monomeramount, is generally ≦5%, often ≦3%, and frequently ≦1% by weight.

It is often advantageous if a portion or the entirety of the optionallyemployed free-radical chain transfer compound is supplied to the aqueouspolymerization reaction medium before the free-radical emulsionpolymerization is initiated. It is particularly favorable, though, if aportion or the entirety of the optionally employed free-radical chaintransfer compound is supplied to the aqueous polymerization mediumtogether with the monomers A to B under polymerization conditions.

The metering of any remaining amount of monomers A and B can be effectedbatchwise in one or more portions or continuously at constant orchanging flow rates. The metering of the monomers A to B is preferablyeffected continuously at constant flow rates.

Furthermore, the remaining amounts of the monomers A to B can be meteredin separate individual streams or as a monomer mixture. Preferably, themetering of any remaining amount of the monomers A and B is effected asa monomer mixture, particularly advantageously in the form of an aqueousmonomer emulsion. What is important is that, according to the invention,process variants in which the compositions of the respective monomers Aand/or B change, for example in a gradient or step procedure familiar tothe person skilled in the art, are also to be included.

Particularly advantageously, the process according to the invention iseffected in such a way that the monomers A to B are reacted to aconversion of 95% by weight, advantageously 98% by weight andparticularly advantageously _(——) 99% by weight. It is frequentlyadvantageous if the aqueous polymer dispersion obtained after the end ofpolymerization stage 2 is subjected to an aftertreatment for reducingthe residual monomer content. The aftertreatment is effected eitherchemically, for example by completion of the polymerization reaction byuse of a more effective free radical initiator system (so-calledpostpolymerization) and/or physically, for example by stripping of theaqueous polymer dispersion with steam or inert gas. Correspondingchemical and/or physical methods are familiar to the skilled person [seefor example EP-A 771328, DE-A 19624299, DE-A 19621027, DE-A 19741184,DE-A 19741187, DE-A 19805122, DE-A 19828183, DE-A 19839199, DE-A19840586 and 19847115]. The combination of chemical and physicalaftertreatment has the advantage that, in addition to the unconvertedethylenically unsaturated monomers, other troublesome readily volatileorganic constituents (so-called VOCs [volatile organic compounds]) arealso removed from the aqueous polymer dispersion.

By targeted variation of type and amount of the monomers A and B, it ispossible according to the invention for the skilled person to prepareaqueous polymer dispersions whose polymers have a glass transitiontemperature or a melting point in the range from −60 to 270° C. Ofcourse, step or multiphase polymers having a plurality of glasstransition temperatures can also be prepared.

Advantageously in accordance with the invention it is possible to makeuse more particularly of those emulsion polymers in aqueous dispersionthat comprise as monomers A at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturatedmonomer, which is preferably selected from esters of α,β-ethylenicallyunsaturated monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids with C₁-C₂₀ alkanols,vinylaromatics, esters of vinyl alcohol with C₁-C₃₀ monocarboxylicacids, ethylenically unsaturated nitriles, vinyl halides, vinylidenehalides, monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic and sulfonic acids,phosphorus monomers, esters of α,β-ethylenically unsaturatedmonocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids with C₂-C₃₀ alkanediols, amides ofα,β-ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids withC₂-C₃₀ amino alcohols which contain a primary or secondary amino group,primary amides of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids andtheir N-alkyl and N,N-dialkyl derivatives, N-vinyllactams, open-chainN-vinylamide compounds, esters of allyl alcohol with C₁-C₃₀monocarboxylic acids, esters of α,β-ethylenically unsaturatedmonocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids with amino alcohols, amides ofα,β-ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids withdiamines which contain at least one primary or secondary amino group,N,N-diallylamines, N,N-diallyl-N-alkylamines, vinyl- andallyl-substituted nitrogen heterocycles, vinyl ethers, C₂-C₈monoolefins, nonaromatic hydrocarbons having at least two conjugateddouble bonds, polyether(meth)acrylates, monomers containing urea groups,and/or mixtures thereof.

Suitable esters of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic anddicarboxylic acids with C₁-C₂₀ alkanols are methyl(meth)acrylate, methylethacrylate, ethyl(meth)acrylate, ethyl ethacrylate,n-propyl(meth)acrylate, isopropyl(meth)acrylate, n-butyl(meth)acrylate,sec-butyl(meth)acrylate, tert-butyl(meth)acrylate, tert-butylethacrylate, n-hexyl(meth)acrylate, n-heptyl(meth)acrylate,n-octyl(meth)acrylate, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl(meth)acrylate,ethylhexyl(meth)acrylate, propylheptyl(meth)acrylate,n-nonyl(meth)acrylate, n-decyl(meth)acrylate, n-undecyl(meth)acrylate,tridecyl(meth)acrylate, myristyl(meth)acrylate,pentadecyl(meth)acrylate, palmityl(meth)acrylate,heptadecyl(meth)acrylate, nonadecyl(meth)acrylate,arachinyl(meth)acrylate, behenyl(meth)acrylate,lignoceryl(meth)acrylate, cerotinyl(meth)acrylate,melissinyl(meth)acrylate, stearyl(meth)acrylate, lauryl(meth)acrylate,and mixtures thereof.

Preferred vinylaromatics are styrene, 2-methylstyrene, 4-methylstyrene,2-(n-butyl)styrene, 4-(n-butyl)styrene, 4-(n-decyl)styrene, and, withparticular preference, styrene.

Suitable esters of vinyl alcohol with C₁C₃₀ monocarboxylic acids are,for example, vinyl formate, vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinylbutyrate, vinyl laurate, vinyl stearate, vinyl propionate, Versatic acidvinyl esters, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable ethylenically unsaturated nitriles are acrylonitrile,methacrylonitrile, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable vinyl halides and vinylidene halides are vinyl chloride,vinylidene chloride, vinyl fluoride, vinylidene fluoride, and mixturesthereof.

Suitable ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, sulfonic acids andphosphonic acids or their derivatives are acrylic acid, methacrylicacid, ethacrylic acid, α-chloroacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid,maleic anhydride, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid,glutaconic acid, aconitic acid, fumaric acid, the monoesters ofmonoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids having 4 to 10,preferably 4 to 6, carbon atoms, e.g., monomethyl maleate, vinylsulfonicacid, allylsulfonic acid, sulfoethyl acrylate, sulfoethyl methacrylate,sulfopropyl acrylate, sulfopropyl methacrylate,2-hydroxy-3-acryloyloxypropylsulfonic acid,2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxypropylsulfonic acid, styrenesulfonic acids,and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid. Suitable styrenesulfonicacids and derivatives thereof are styrene-4-sulfonic acid andstyrene-3-sulfonic acid and the alkali metal or alkaline earth metalsalts thereof, such as sodium styrene-3-sulfonate and sodiumstyrene-4-sulfonate, for example. Particularly preferred are acrylicacid, methacrylic acid, and mixtures thereof.

Examples of phosphorus-containing monomers are vinylphosphonic acid andallylphosphonic acid, for example. Also suitable are the monoesters anddiesters of phosphonic acid and phosphoric acid withhydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylates, especially the monoesters. Additionallysuitable are diesters of phosphonic acid and phosphoric acid that havebeen esterified once with hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylate and also once witha different alcohol, such as an alkanol, for example. Suitablehydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylates for these esters are those specified belowas separate monomers, more particularly 2-hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate,3-hydroxypropyl(meth)acrylate, 4-hydroxybutyl(meth)acrylate, etc.Corresponding dihydrogen phosphate ester monomers comprisephosphoalkyl(meth)acrylates, such as 2-phosphoethyl(meth)acrylate,2-phosphopropyl(meth)acrylate, 3-phosphopropyl(meth)acrylate,phosphobutyl(meth)acrylate, and 3-phospho-2-hydroxypropyl(meth)acrylate.Also suitable are the esters of phosphonic acid and phosphoric acid withalkoxylated hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylates, examples being the ethyleneoxide condensates of (meth)acrylates, such asH₂C═C(CH₃)COO(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)P(OH)₂ andH₂C═C(CH₃)COO(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)P(═O)(OH)₂, in which n is 1 to 50. Of furthersuitability are phosphoalkyl crotonates, phosphoalkyl maleates,phosphoalkyl fumarates, phosphodialkyl(meth)acrylates, phosphodialkylcrotonates and allyl phosphates. Further suitable monomers containingphosphorus groups are described in WO 99/25780 and U.S. Pat. No.4,733,005, hereby incorporated by reference.

Suitable esters of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic anddicarboxylic acids with C₂-C₃₀ alkanediols are, for example,2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethylethacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate,3-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 3-hydroxybutylacrylate, 3-hydroxybutyl methacrylate, 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate,4-hydroxybutyl methacrylate, 6-hydroxyhexyl acrylate, 6-hydroxyhexylmethacrylate, 3-hydroxy-2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 3-hydroxy-2-ethylhexylmethacrylate, etc.

Suitable primary amides of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylicacids and their N-alkyl and N,N-dialkyl derivatives are acrylamide,methacrylamide, N-methyl(meth)acrylamide, N-ethyl(meth)acrylamide,N-propyl(meth)acrylamide, N-(n-butyl)(meth)acrylamide,N-(tert-butyl)(meth)acrylamide, N-(n-octyl)(meth)acrylamide,N-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)(meth)acrylamide,N-ethylhexyl(meth)acrylamide, N-(n-nonyl)(meth)acrylamide,N-(n-decyl)(meth)acrylamide, N-(n-undecyl)(meth)acrylamide,N-tridecyl(meth)acrylamide, N-myristyl(meth)acrylamide,N-pentadecyl(meth)acrylamide, N-palmityl(meth)acrylamide,N-heptadecyl(meth)acrylamide, N-nonadecyl(meth)acrylamide,N-arachidyl(meth)acrylamide, N-behenyl(meth)acrylamide,N-lignoceryl(meth)acrylamide, N-cerotinyl(meth)acrylamide,N-melissinyl(meth)acrylamide, N-stearyl(meth)acrylamide,N-lauryl(meth)acrylamide, N,N-dimethyl(meth)acrylamide,N,N-diethyl(meth)acrylamide, morpholinyl(meth)acrylamide.

Suitable N-vinyllactams and their derivatives are, for example,N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinylpiperidone, N-vinylcaprolactam,N-vinyl-5-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-vinyl-5-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone,N-vinyl-6-methyl-2-piperidone, N-vinyl-6-ethyl-2-piperidone,N-vinyl-7-methyl-2-caprolactam, N-vinyl-7-ethyl-2-caprolactam, etc.

Suitable open-chain N-vinylamide compounds are, for example,N-vinylformamide, N-vinyl-N-methylformamide, N-vinylacetamide,N-vinyl-N-methylacetamide, N-vinyl-N-ethylacetamide,N-vinylpropionamide, N-vinyl-N-methylpropionamide, andN-vinylbutyramide.

Suitable esters of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic anddicarboxylic acids with amino alcohols areN,N-dimethylaminomethyl(meth)acrylate,N,N-dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylate, N,N-diethylaminoethyl acrylate,N,N-dimethylaminopropyl(meth)acrylate,N,N-diethylaminopropyl(meth)acrylate, andN,N-dimethylaminocyclohexyl(meth)acrylate.

Suitable amides of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic anddicarboxylic acids with diamines which contain at least one primary orsecondary amino group are N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]acrylamide,N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]methacrylamide,N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]acrylamide,N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide,N-[4-(dimethylamino)butyl]acrylamide,N-[4-(dimethylamino)butyl]methacrylamide,N-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]acrylamide,N-[4-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]acrylamide,N-[4-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]methacrylamide, etc.

Suitable monomers A are, furthermore, N,N-diallylamines andN,N-diallyl-N-alkylamines and their acid addition salts andquaternization products. Alkyl here is preferably C₁-C₂₄ alkyl.Preference is given to N,N-diallyl-N-methylamine and toN,N-diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium compounds, such as the chlorides andbromides, for example.

Further suitable monomers A are vinyl- and allyl-substituted nitrogenheterocycles, such as N-vinylimidazole, N-vinyl-2-methylimidazole, andvinyl- and allyl-substituted heteroaromatic compounds, such as 2- and4-vinylpyridine, 2- and 4-allylpyridine, and the salts thereof.

Suitable C₂-C₈ monoolefins and nonaromatic hydrocarbons having at leasttwo conjugated double bonds are for example ethylene, propylene,isobutylene, isoprene, butadiene, etc.

Examples of suitable monomers A containing urea groups are N-vinylureaor N-allylurea or derivatives of imidazolidin-2-one. They includeN-vinyl- and N-allylimidazolidin-2-one,N-vinyloxyethylimidazolidin-2-one,N-(2-(meth)acrylamidoethyl)imidazolidin-2-one.

Preferred monomers containing urea groups areN-(2-acryloxyethyl)imidazolidin-2-one andN-(2-methacryloxyethyl)imidazolidin-2-one. Particular preference isgiven to N-(2-methacryloxyethyl)imidazolidin-2-one (2-ureidomethacrylate, UMA).

And also crosslinking monomers, examples being monomers which carry ketogroups or aldehyde groups, such as (meth)acrolein, diacetoneacrylamide(DAAM), acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate (AAEM), which may be combinedwith adipic dihydrazide (ADDH) or diamines, and also monomers whichcarry epoxide groups, such as glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), ordiolefinically unsaturated compounds such as allyl(meth)acrylate (AMA),butanediol diacrylate, hexanediol diacrylate, for instance.

The aforementioned monomers A may be used individually, in the form ofmixtures within one class of monomer or in the form of mixtures fromdifferent classes of monomer. It is preferred in accordance with theinvention to use those emulsion polymers which in addition to themonomers A comprise the monomers B in amounts of 0.1% to 30% by weightand component C, the at least one photoinitiator, in amounts of 0.01% to5% by weight, in each case based on the sum of the monomers.

It is preferred in accordance with the invention to use those emulsionpolymers, present in aqueous dispersion, whose glass transitiontemperature is ≦100° C., more particularly ≦60° C., preferably >−50° C.and ≦30° C., especially ≦10° C. and advantageously ≧−40° C. and ≦0° C.By the glass transition temperature (Tg) is meant the limiting value ofthe glass transition temperature toward which the latter tends withincreasing molecular weight, according to G. Kanig (Kolloid-Zeitschrift& Zeitschrift fur Polymere, vol. 190, page 1, equation 1). The glasstransition temperature is determined by the DSC method (DifferentialScanning Calorimetry, 20 K/min, midpoint measurement, DIN 53 765).

In the case of a staged or gradient polymerization, the emulsionpolymers may of course also have two or more glass transitiontemperatures.

According to Fox (T. G. Fox, Bull. Am. Phys. Soc. 1956 [Ser. II] 1, page123 and in accordance with Ullmann's Encyclopädie der technischenChemie, vol. 19, page 18, 4th edition, Verlag Chemie, Weinheim, 1980),the glass transition temperature of comonomers with no more than lowdegrees of crosslinking is given in good approximation by:

1/Tg=x1/Tg1+x2/Tg2+ . . . xn/Tgn,

where x1, x2, . . . xn are the mass fractions of the monomers 1, 2, . .. n and Tg1, Tg2, . . . Tgn are the glass transition temperatures of thepolymers constructed in each case only from one of the monomers 1, 2, .. . n in degrees Kelvin. The Tg values for the homopolymers for themajority of monomers are known and are listed in, for example, Ullmann'sEncyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 5th edition, vol. A21, page 169,Verlag Chemie, Weinheim, 1992; further sources of glass transitiontemperatures for homopolymers include, for example, J. Brandrup, E. H.Immergut, Polymer Handbook, 1st Ed., J. Wiley, New York, 1966; 2nd Ed.,J. Wiley, New York, 1975; and 3rd Ed., J. Wiley, New York, 1989.

The average diameter of the emulsion polymers present in aqueousdispersion (polymer particles) is generally in the range from 10 to 1000nm, often 50 to 500 nm or 80 to 300 nm. The particle size distributionmay be monomodal or multimodial. In the case of a bimodal particle sizedistribution, the finely divided component has particle diameters ofpreferably 50 to 150 nm, while the coarse-particled component hasdiameters of preferably 200 to 500 nm. The solids contents of theaqueous dispersions of emulsion polymers that can be used in accordancewith the invention, furthermore, are generally ≧10% and ≦70%,advantageously ≧30% and ≦70% and with particular advantage ≧40% and≦65%, by weight.

The solids content has been determined, generally speaking, by drying adefined amount of the aqueous polymer dispersion (approximately 1 g) toconstant weight in an aluminum crucible having an internal diameter ofaround 5 cm at 140° C. in a drying cabinet. Two separate measurementswere carried out. The figures reported in the examples represent theaverage value of the two measurement results in each case.

The particle size of the polymer particles was determined by dynamiclight scattering on a 0.01% by weight dispersion at 23° C., using a highperformance particle sizer (HPPS) from Malvern Instruments, UK. Thefigure reported was the cumulant z-average of the measuredautocorrelation function.

The monomers B used are known per se to the skilled person and aredescribed in, for example, publications WO 2009/047234 and WO2009/146995, hereby incorporated in full by reference.

According to one particular embodiment of the present invention, themonomers B may have an iodine number in the range from 50 to 300 giodine/100 g, more preferably in the range from 50 to 200 g iodine/100g, more particularly preferably 50 to 180 g iodine/100 g, verypreferably 80 to 150 g iodine/100 g monomer.

The iodine number was determined by the method of Kaufmann, DGF StandardMethods C-V 11b (2002).

The notation “(meth)acryl-” stands for acrylic and methacrylic radicals,with methacrylic radicals being preferred. Particularly preferredmonomers B are methacryloyloxy-2-ethyl-oleamide,methacryloyloxy-2-ethyl-linoleamide and/ormethacryloyloxy-2-ethyl-linoleneamide, and alsomethacryloyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl-linoleic ester andmethacryloyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl-oleic ester.

The reaction of the methacrylates of the monomers B takes placepreferably with suitable fatty acids.

The preferred (meth)acrylates of the invention include more particularlyoctadecane-dien-yl(meth)acrylate, octadecane-trien-yl(meth)acrylate,hexadecenyl(meth)acrylate, octadecenyl(meth)acrylate andhexadecane-dien-yl(meth)acrylate.

Furthermore, (meth)acrylates which in the alkyl radical have at leastone double bond and 8 to 40 carbon atoms can also be obtained byreaction of unsaturated fatty acids with meth(acrylates) which havereactive groups in the alcohol residue. The reactive groups include, inparticular, hydroxyl groups and also epoxy groups. Accordingly, forexample, use may also be made, as reactants for preparing theaforementioned (meth)acrylates, of hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylates, such as3-hydroxypropyl(meth)acrylate, 3,4-dihydroxybutyl(meth)acrylate,2-hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl(meth)acrylate,2,5-dimethyl-1,6-hexanediol(meth)acrylate, and1,10-decanediol(meth)acrylate; or (meth)acrylates containing epoxygroups, an example being glycidyl(meth)acrylate.

Suitable fatty acids for reaction of the aforementioned (meth)acrylatesare widely available commercially and are obtained from natural sources.They include, among others, undecylenic acid, palmitoleic acid, oleicacid, elaidic acid, vaccenic acid, icosenoic acid, cetoleic acid, erucicacid, nervonic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidonic acid,timnodonic acid, clupanodonic acid and/or cervonic acid.

The especially preferred (meth)acrylates include more particularly(meth)acryloyloxy-2-hydroxypropyllinoleic ester,(meth)acryloyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl-linolenic ester and(meth)acryloyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl-oleic ester.

The reaction of the unsaturated fatty acids with (meth)acrylates whichhave reactive groups in the alcohol residue is known per se and set outin, for example, DE-A-41 05 134, DE-A-25 13 516, DE-A-26 38 544 and U.S.Pat. No. 5,750,751.

The aforesaid (meth)acrylates with at least one double bond may be usedindividually or as a mixture of two or more (meth)acrylates.

Advantages may be achieved in particular with (meth)acrylate segmentswhich comprise at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, and more preferablyat least 15%, by weight, of units deriving from(meth)acryloyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl-oleic ester, based on the weight ofthe units derived from (meth)acrylates which in the alkyl radical haveat least one double bond and 8 to 40 carbon atoms. The polymerpreferably has 15% to 45%, more preferably 20% to 35%, by weight ofunits deriving from (meth)acryloyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl-oleic ester, basedon the weight of the units deriving from (meth)acrylates which in thealkyl radical have at least one double bond and 8 to 40 carbon atoms.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, preference isgiven to (meth)acrylate segments which comprise at least 20%, preferablyat least 40%, and more preferably at least 50%, by weight, of unitsderiving from (meth)acryloyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl-linoleic ester, based onthe weight of the units derived from (meth)acrylates which in the alkylradical have at least one double bond and 8 to 40 carbon atoms. Thepolymer preferably has 45% to 80%, more preferably 55% to 70%, by weightof units deriving from (meth)acryloyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl-linoleic ester,based on the weight of the units deriving from (meth)acrylates which inthe alkyl radical have at least one double bond and 8 to 40 carbonatoms.

The monomers B are used in amounts of 0.1% to 30% by weight, preferably0.1% to 10% by weight, more preferably in amounts of 0.5% to 8% byweight, based in each case on the total weight of the monomers.

Component C, the at least one photoinitiator, may either becopolymerized or else added after the actual emulsion polymerization. Ifit is added after the actual emulsion polymerization, stirring iscontinued thereafter until the at least one photoinitiator ishomogeneously dispersed. In the case of a solid, it is oftenadvantageous to add the at least one photoinitiator under hotconditions, i.e. at temperatures above the melting point. There arealso, for example, benzophenone derivatives in liquid form. They cansimply be added to the polymer dispersion and incorporated by stirring.One example of such a derivative is Esacure® TZM from Lehmann & Voss &Co., Germany. Where the at least one photoinitiator possessescopolymerizable double bonds, it may also be metered in during thepolymerization. This may take place in a separate feed or together withthe monomers A and/or B. It is preferred to add the copolymerizablephotoinitiator with the monomers A and B.

The component C, the at least one photoinitiator, comprises, forexample, benzophenone or acetophenone or derivatives with benzophenoneor acetophenone substructures, such as substituted benzophenones, forinstance 4-methylbenzophenone, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzophenone,thioxanthones, such as isopropylthioxanthone, or olefinicallyunsaturated derivatives of benzophenone or of acetophenone, examplesbeing those with a (meth)acrylic radical such as(meth)acryloxyethoxybenzophenone, or with a vinyl group such as4-vinyloxybenzophenone, or mixtures of these active ingredients, such as4-methylbenzophenone and 2,4,6-trimethylbenzophenone, for example. Otherphotoinitiators contemplated are described in EP 417 568, page 3, line39 to page 7, line 51, hereby incorporated by reference.

The emulsion polymers of the invention possess (poly)olefiicallyunsaturated side chains, and are therefore oxidatively crosslinkable ina similar way to, for example, alkyd resins, with the aid of what arecalled dryers (siccatives). Dryers are metal compounds with usually Cocompounds or Mn compounds, occasionally also Fe compounds, as activecomponent, and catalyze the reaction of the (poly)olefinicallyunsaturated alkyl chains with atmospheric oxygen (cf. U. Poth, Polyesterand Alkydharze, p. 183 f). Surprisingly, the addition of dryers to thepolymer dispersions of the invention had no effect on the soiling ofcoating films produced therefrom. In the polymer dispersions and in thecoating materials based thereon, therefore, it is preferred not to usedryers.

The present invention also provides coating materials, preferablyexterior architectural paints, comprising the aqueous polymerdispersions of the invention as binders.

This also includes coating materials which dry to form elastic coatings.

Elastic coating compositions of this type are intended to bridge finecracks on the building exterior and thus to protect buildings reliablyagainst moisture and other weathering effects.

The coating materials of the invention are produced in conventional waysby blending the components in mixing apparatus customary for thepurpose. It has been found appropriate to prepare an aqueous paste ordispersion to start with from the pigments, fillers, water, and anyauxiliaries, and only then to add the aqueous polymer dispersion, withstirring as an option.

Coating materials of the invention comprise (in the wet state)

-   -   i. 10% to 98%, preferably 20% to 80%, more preferably 30% to 50%        by weight of the polymer dispersion of the invention,    -   ii. 0% to 60%, preferably 1% to 50%, more preferably 5% to 30%        by weight of one or more inorganic fillers,    -   iii. 0% to 5%, preferably 0.01% to 3%, more preferably 0.05% to        2.5% by weight of one or more thickeners,    -   iv. 0% to 30%, preferably 1% to 25%, by weight of one or more        pigments, and    -   v. 0% to 20%, preferably 0% to 10%, more preferably 0% to 5% by        weight each of other auxiliaries, such as, for example,        biocides, dispersants, film-forming assistants, and defoamers,    -   vi. water,    -   the sum of components i. to vi. being 100% by weight.

Finely divided inorganic fillers (ii) used are substantially inorganicmaterials having refractive indices lower by comparison with thepigments. The finely divided fillers are often naturally occurringminerals, such as, for example, calcite, chalk, dolomite, kaolin, talc,talc/chlorite intergrowths, mica, diatomaceous earth, baryte, andquartz, but also synthetically prepared inorganic compounds, such as,for example, precipitated calcium carbonate, calcined kaolin or bariumsulfate, and fumed silica. As a filler it is preferred to use calciumcarbonate in the form of crystalline calcite or of amorphous chalk.

Preferred inorganic fillers are the Omyacarb® products from Omya and theFinntalc® products from Mondo Minerals, the Celite® and Optimat™products from World Minerals, and the Aerosil® products from EvonikIndustries AG.

Pigments (iv) used are finely divided inorganic and organic compounds.The most important white pigment, on account of its high refractiveindex and its high opacity, is titanium dioxide, in the form of itsanatase and rutile modifications. Examples of typical commercialproducts include the Kronos® products from Kronos, the Tiona® productsfrom Millenium, the TIOXIDE® products from Huntsman, Ti-Pure® productsfrom Du-Pont de Nemours. Additionally, however, zinc oxide and zincsulfide are used as white pigments. As well as these, however, organicwhite pigments too, such as non-film-forming, styrene- (andcarboxyl-)rich, hollow polymer particles with a particle size of around300 to 400 nm (referred to as opaque particles) are used, examples beingRhopaque products from Dow.

As well as white pigments, any of a very wide variety of chromaticpigments familiar to the skilled person are used for coloring thecoating, examples being the somewhat less expensive inorganic iron,cadmium, chromium, and lead oxides and sulfides, lead molybdate, cobaltblue, carbon black, and also the somewhat more expensive organicpigments, examples being phthalocyanines, azo pigments, quinacridones,perylenes, carbozoles.

The thickeners iii. are generally compounds of high molecular mass whichabsorb water and in doing so swell to form bulky structures, or areamphiphilic molecules which possess at least two hydrophobic groups andform relatively loose lattice structures in water via micelles.

Examples are high molecular mass polymers based on acrylic acid andacrylamide (for example, Collacral® HP from BASF SE), carboxyl-richacrylic ester copolymers such as Latekoll® D (BASF SE)—the latter mayalso possess hydrophobic groups as well (HASE thickeners), and also PUassociative thickeners (for example, Collacral® PU 75 from BASF SE),celluloses and their derivatives, examples being cellulose ethers(Natrosol grades from Ashland-Aqualon) or carboxymethylcellulose, andalso natural thickeners, such as bentonites, alginates or starch, forexample.

The thickeners (iii.) are used in amounts of 0% to 5% by weight,preferably 0.1% to 2.5% by weight.

The further auxiliaries (v.) include, for example, preservatives forpreventing fungal and bacterial infestation, solvents for influencingthe open time, such as ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, and theformation of a film, such as butyl glycol, butyl diglycol, propyleneglycol ethers such as, for instance, Dowanol PP, DPM or DPnB (Dow),Texanol (Eastman), high-boiling esters, examples being diisobutyl estersof glutaric, succinic, and adipic acid, dispersants for stabilizing thefinely dispersed pigment and filler particles, examples beingpolycarboxylates such as, for instance, Pigmentverteiler A or NL (BASFSE) or oligophosphates or polyphosphates such as Calgon N, emulsifiers(Emulphor® OPS 25, Lutensol® TO 89), antifreeze agents (ethylene glycol,propylene glycol) or defoamers (Lumiten® products).

Determination of the pH was performed in accordance with DIN 53785. Theinstrument was a pH meter from Methrom, a Titroprocessor 682. Around 50ml of the sample are placed in a 100 ml glass beaker. The sample issubsequently conditioned at 23±1° C. in a thermostat. The glasselectrode is kept ideally in a 3-molar KCl solution. Prior tomeasurement, it is washed a number of times with the polymer dispersionand then immersed into the sample. When the position of the pointer onthe display of the meter is constant, the pH is read off.

Three determinations are carried out, in each case with new samples, onthe dispersion to be measured.

The Xenotest was carried out as follows:

The test specimens were weathered in accordance with DIN EN ISO 11341:December 2004 in a Heraeus Xenotest 1200 weathering apparatus for atotal of 48 hours (3 xenon lamps each of 4500 W, irradiance at 300-400nm (3 times Suprax specialty glass filters) around 60 W/m², test chambertemperature in the dry period 38+/−3° C., relative humidity 65+/−5% ,black standard temperature in the dry period 65+/−3° C., paralleloperation, radiation source continually in operation, dry period 102min, irrigation 18 min, beginning with dry period).

EXAMPLE 1 E 1

A polymerization vessel equipped with metering devices and temperatureregulation was charged under a nitrogen atmosphere at 20 to 25° C. (roomtemperature) with

307.9 g of deionized water and

41.9 g of a 33% strength by weight aqueous solution of a polystyreneseed dispersion and this initial charge was heated to 85° C. withstirring. When this temperature was reached, 39.6 g of a 1.8% strengthby weight aqueous solution of sodium peroxodisulfate were added and themixture was stirred for 5 minutes, during which this temperature wasmaintained. Thereafter feeds 1 and 2 were commenced; feed 1 was meteredin over 180 minutes, and feed 2 over 210 minutes. After the end of feed2, polymerization was continued for 30 minutes, followed by cooling to75° C., after which feeds 3 and 4 were metered in over 60 minutes inparallel. Subsequently, feed 5 was commenced and was metered in over thecourse of 30 minutes.

Feed 1 (Homogeneous Mixture of):

436.1 g of deionized water

50.0 g of Emulan® OG (BASF SE)

60.6 g of Disponil® FES 77 (Cognis, DE)

16.0 g of a 50% strength by weight aqueous solution of acrylamide

28.0 g of acrylic acid

294.2 g of styrene

619.8 g of n-butyl acrylate

50.0 g of monomer B4

Feed 2 (Homogeneous Solution of):

30.5 g of deionized water and

2.3 g of sodium peroxodisulfate

Feed 3:

18.0 g of a 10% strength aqueous solution of tert-butyl hydroperoxide

Feed 4 (Homogeneous Mixture of):

13.5 g of deionized water and

1.5 g of ascorbic acid

Feed 5:

14.0 g of a 5% strength by weight aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide

After the end of feed 5, 14.8 g of a 25% strength by weight ammoniasolution were added. The aqueous polymer dispersion obtained wassubsequently cooled to room temperature. At a temperature of 60° C., 1.5g of benzophenone were added. Lastly, the dispersion was filteredthrough a 125 μm filter.

The resultant 2040.2 g of the aqueous polymer dispersion had a solidscontent of 51.8% by weight and a pH of 7.2. Diluted with deionizedwater, the aqueous polymer dispersion had a weight-average particlediameter of 143 nm.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1 CE 1

A polymerization vessel equipped with metering devices and temperatureregulation was charged under a nitrogen atmosphere at 20 to 25° C. (roomtemperature) with

307.9 g of deionized water and

41.9 g of a 33% strength by weight aqueous solution of a polystyreneseed dispersion and this initial charge was heated to 85° C. withstirring. When this temperature was reached, 39.6 g of a 1.8% strengthby weight aqueous solution of sodium peroxodisulfate were added and themixture was stirred for 5 minutes, during which this temperature wasmaintained. Thereafter feeds 1 and 2 were commenced; feed 1 was meteredin over 180 minutes, and feed 2 over 210 minutes. After the end of feed2, polymerization was continued for 30 minutes, followed by cooling to75° C., after which feeds 3 and 4 were metered in over 60 minutes inparallel. Subsequently, feed 5 was commenced and was metered in over thecourse of 30 minutes.

Feed 1 (Homogeneous Mixture of):

436.1 g of deionized water

50.0 g of Emulan® OG

60.6 g of Disponil® FES 77

16.0 g of a 50% strength by weight aqueous solution of acrylamide

28.0 g of acrylic acid

294.2 g of styrene

619.8 g of n-butyl acrylate

50.0 g of monomer B4

Feed 2 (Homogeneous Solution of):

30.5 g of deionized water and

2.3 g of sodium peroxodisulfate

Feed 3:

18.0 g of a 10% strength by weight aqueous solution of tert-butylhydroperoxide

Feed 4 (Homogeneous Mixture of):

13.5 g of deionized water and

1.5 g of ascorbic acid

Feed 5:

14.0 g of a 5% strength by weight aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide

After the end of feed 5, 14.8 g of a 25% strength by weight ammoniasolution were added. The aqueous polymer dispersion obtained wassubsequently cooled to room temperature. Lastly, the dispersion wasfiltered through a 125 μm filter.

The resultant 2038.7 g of the aqueous polymer dispersion had a solidscontent of 51.3% by weight and a pH of 7.2. Diluted with deionizedwater, the aqueous polymer dispersion had a weight-average particlediameter of 143 nm.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2 CE 2

A polymerization vessel equipped with metering devices and temperatureregulation was charged under a nitrogen atmosphere at 20 to 25° C. (roomtemperature) with

307.9 g of deionized water and

41.9 g of a 33% strength by weight aqueous solution of a polystyreneseed dispersion and this initial charge was heated to 85° C. withstirring. When this temperature was reached, 39.6 g of a 1.8% strengthby weight aqueous solution of sodium peroxodisulfate were added and themixture was stirred for 5 minutes, during which this temperature wasmaintained. Thereafter feeds 1 and 2 were commenced; feed 1 was meteredin over 180 minutes, and feed 2 over 210 minutes. After the end of feed2, polymerization was continued for 30 minutes, followed by cooling to75° C., after which feeds 3 and 4 were metered in over 60 minutes inparallel. Subsequently, feed 5 was commenced and was metered in over thecourse of 30 minutes.

Feed 1 (Homogeneous Mixture of):

436.1 g of deionized water

50.0 g of Emulan® OG

60.6 g of Disponil® FES 77

16.0 g of a 50% strength by weight aqueous solution of acrylamide

28.0 g of acrylic acid

294.2 g of styrene

669.8 g of n-butyl acrylate

Feed 2 (Homogeneous Solution of):

30.5 g of deionized water and

2.3 g of sodium peroxodisulfate

Feed 3:

18.0 g of a 10% strength by weight aqueous solution of tert-butylhydroperoxide

Feed 4 (Homogeneous Mixture of):

13.5 g of deionized water and

1.5 g of ascorbic acid

Feed 5:

14.0 g of a 5% strength by weight aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide

After the end of feed 5, 14.8 g of a 25% strength by weight ammoniasolution were added.

The aqueous polymer dispersion obtained was subsequently cooled to roomtemperature. At a temperature of 60° C., 1.5 g of benzophenone wereadded. Lastly, the dispersion was filtered through a 125 μm filter.

The resultant 2040.2 g of the aqueous polymer dispersion had a solidscontent of 51.5% by weight and a pH of 7.5. Diluted with deionizedwater, the aqueous polymer dispersion had a weight-average particlediameter of 136 nm.

Monomer B1

(Preparation of a Mixture of methacryloyloxy-2-ethyl-fatty Acid Amides)

A four-neck, round-bottom flask equipped with a saber stirrer withstirring sleeve and stirring motor, nitrogen inlet, liquid-phasethermometer and a distillation bridge was charged with 206.3 g (0.70mol) of fatty acid methyl ester mixture, 42.8 g (0.70 mol) ofethanolamine and 0.27 g (0.26%) of LiOH. The fatty acid methyl estermixture comprised 6% by weight of saturated C12 to C16 fatty acid methylesters, 2.5% by weight of saturated C17 to C20 fatty acid methyl esters,52% by weight of monounsaturated C18 fatty acid methyl esters, 1.5% byweight of monounsaturated C20 to C24 fatty acid methyl esters, 36% byweight of polyunsaturated C18 fatty acid methyl esters, and 2% by weightof polyunsaturated C20 to C24 fatty acid methyl esters.

The reaction mixture was heated to 150° C. Over the course of 2 hours,19.5 ml of methanol were taken off by distillation. The resultingreaction product contained 86.5% of fatty acid ethanolamides. Thereaction mixture obtained was processed further without purification.After cooling had taken place, 1919 g (19.2 mol) of methyl methacrylate,3.1 g of LiOH, and an inhibitor mixture consisting of 500 ppm ofhydroquinone monomethyl ether and 500 ppm of phenothiazine were added.

The reaction apparatus was flushed with nitrogen for 10 minutes withstirring. Thereafter the reaction mixture was heated to boiling. Themethyl methacrylate/methanol azeotrope was removed and subsequently theoverhead temperature was raised in steps to 100° C. After the end of thereaction, the reaction mixture was cooled to around 70° C. and filtered.Excess methyl methacrylate was removed on a rotary evaporator. This gave370 g of product.

Monomer B2

A four-neck, round-bottom flask equipped with a saber stirrer withstirring sleeve and stirring motor, nitrogen inlet, liquid-phasethermometer and a distillation bridge was charged with 206.3 g (0.70mol) of fatty acid methyl ester mixture, 42.8 g (0.70 mol) ofethanolamine and 0.27 g (0.26%) of LiOH. The fatty acid methyl estermixture comprised 6% by weight of saturated C12 to C16 fatty acid methylesters, 2.5% by weight of saturated C17 to C20 fatty acid methyl esters,52% by weight of monounsaturated C18 fatty acid methyl esters, 1.5% byweight of monounsaturated C20 to C24 fatty acid methyl esters, 36% byweight of polyunsaturated C18 fatty acid methyl esters, and 2% by weightof polyunsaturated C20 to C24 fatty acid methyl esters.

The reaction mixture was heated to 150° C. Over the course of 2 hours,19.5 ml of methanol were taken off by distillation. The resultingreaction product contained 86.5% of fatty acid ethanolamides. Thereaction mixture obtained was processed further without purification.Following the addition of an inhibitor mixture of 500 ppm ofhydroquinone monomethyl ether and 500 ppm of phenothiazine, 108 g (0.70mol) of methacrylic anhydride were metered in slowly at a liquid-phasetemperature of 80° C. The reaction mixture was heated to 90° C. andstirred at this temperature for 6 hours. The methacrylic acid formed wasremoved on a thin-film evaporator. This gave a brown liquid product.

Monomer B3 (methacryloyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl-linoleic ester)

Monomer B3 was obtained by reacting linoleic acid with glycidylmethacrylate.

Monomer B4 (methacryloyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl-oleic ester)

Monomer B4 was obtained by reacting oleic acid with glycidylmethacrylate.

Production of the Coating Materials

without with Formulation: dryer dryer Water 100 100 Pigmentverteiler ® Adispersant from 5 5 BASF SE Parmetol ® A26 preservative from 2 2 Schülke& Mayr Byk ® 023 defoamer from Byk 2 2 Propylene glycol solvent 20 20Butyldiglycol solvent 15 15 Ammonia, conc. 2 2 Collacral ® LR 8990, 40%form thickener from 4 4 BASF SE Natrosol ® 250HR thickener from 3 3Hercules Inc. . . . add in order and briefly disperse . . . Kronos ® RN2190 titanium pigment from 125 125 dioxide Kronos International Inc.Omyacarb ® 5 GU filler from Omya 240 240 . . . add in order and dispersefor 15 minutes at 1000 rpm with a toothed disk stirrer . . . Dispersion(51.8%) 454 454 Byk ® 023 defoamer from Byk 4 4 Water 24 24 Additol ®VXW 4940 dryer (siccative) — 0.39 from Cytec Total amount: 1000 1000

The ingredients were added in the order indicated above, with stirring.The paints were left to age at room temperature for 24 hours.

Processing and Testing

Before being coated, fiber cement plaques were initially dewatered,brushed off while wet, and dried. The coating materials were appliedeach in 2 layers (with drying for 16 hours in between) by brush, at 500g/m² in each case. The coatings were dried for 3 days at 23° C. and 50%relative humidity. Then, with the aid of a Color guide 45/0 from BykGardner, the colorimetric parameters L, a and b were ascertained(standard illuminant C 2).

The test specimens were weathered in a Xenotest 1200 weatheringapparatus as indicated above for 48 hours. After weathering, the testspecimens were dried. Activated carbon, dry, was then scattered on toform a covering. Excess activated carbon was removed by tapping on theedge or using compressed air. The soiled test specimens weresubsequently immersed in water, rinsed off with in each case 1 I ofrunning water, and, lastly, wiped off three times with a wet sponge,without pressure. After drying, a determination was made, as above, ofthe colorimetric parameters of the soiled area, and of the difference ΔErelative to the initial value before weathering and soiling.

Furthermore, the soiled test specimens were placed alongside one anotherand the degree of soiling was evaluated using school grades (0=white,5=black).

Mono- Photo- After 3 d RT + 6 h Xenotest Sam- mer initiator Sicca-school ple B4 (component C) tive ΔE grade E 1 yes yes no 5.5 2 yes yesyes 6.5 2 CE 1 yes no no 22.8 4-5 yes no yes 14.6 4 CE 2 no yes no 12.83-4

From these figures it is clearly apparent that the combination ofmonomer B4 and photoinitiator produces the improvement in the soilingresistance after light exposure, and also that this improvement issignificantly greater than if only photoinitiator is used. The additionof siccative does not produce any improvement.

1. An aqueous emulsion polymer comprising (A) monomers A (B) at leastone (meth)acrylate with olefinically unsaturated side groups (monomersB), and (C) at least one photoinitiator.
 2. The aqueous emulsion polymeraccording to claim 1, wherein the glass transition temperature is ≦60°C.
 3. The aqueous emulsion polymer according to claim 1, wherein theglass transition temperature is ≧−50° C. and ≦30° C.
 4. The aqueousemulsion polymer according to claim 1, wherein the glass transitiontemperature is ≧−50° C. and ≦0° C.
 5. The aqueous emulsion polymeraccording to claim 1, wherein the glass transition temperature is ≧−40°C. and ≦0° C.
 6. The aqueous emulsion polymer according to any of claims1 to 5, wherein the monomers A are selected from the group consisting ofα,β-ethylenically unsaturated monomers.
 7. The aqueous emulsion polymeraccording to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the monomers A areselected from the group consisting of esters of α,β-ethylenicallyunsaturated monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids with C₁-C₂₀ alkanols,vinylaromatics, esters of vinyl alcohol with C₁-C₃₀ monocarboxylicacids, ethylenically unsaturated nitriles, vinyl halides, vinylidenehalides, monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic and sulfonic acids,phosphorus-containing monomers, esters of α,β-ethylenically unsaturatedmonocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids with C₂-C₃₀ alkanediols, amides ofα,β-ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids ofC₂-C₃₀ amino alcohols having a primary or secondary amino group, primaryamides of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids and theN-alkyl and N,N-dialkyl derivatives thereof, N-vinyllactams, open-chainN-vinylamide compounds, esters of allyl alcohol with C₁-C₃₀monocarboxylic acids, esters of α,β-ethylenically unsaturatedmonocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids with amino alcohols, amides ofα,β-ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids withdiamines having at least one primary or secondary amino group,N,N-diallylamines, N,N-diallyl-N-alkylamines, vinyl- andallyl-substituted nitrogen heterocycles, vinyl ethers, C₂-C₈monoolefins, nonaromatic hydrocarbons having at least two conjugateddouble bonds, polyether (meth)acrylates, monomers containing ureagroups, and/or mixtures thereof.
 8. The aqueous emulsion polymeraccording to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein further to the monomers A themonomers B are used in amounts of 0.1% to 30% by weight and component Cin amounts of 0.01% to 5% by weight, in each based on the sum of themonomers.
 9. The aqueous emulsion polymer according to any of claims 1to 8, wherein the monomers B have an iodine number in the range from 50to 300 g iodine/100 g monomer.
 10. The aqueous emulsion polymeraccording to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the monomers B are selectedfrom the group consisting of methacryloyloxy-2-ethyloleamide,methacryloyloxy-2-ethyllinoleamide and/ormethacryloyloxy-2-ethyllinolenamide, and alsomethacryloyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl-linoleic ester andmethacryloyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl-oleic ester or mixtures thereof.
 11. Theuse of an aqueous emulsion polymer according to any of claims 1 to 10 asa binder in a coating material.
 12. The use of an aqueous emulsionpolymer according to any of claims 4 to 10 as a binder in a coatingmaterial, wherein the coating material is free from organic solvents.13. The use of an aqueous emulsion polymer according to any of claims 5to 10 as a binder in an elastic coating.
 14. The use of an aqueousemulsion polymer according to any of claims 1 to 10 as a binder in anexterior architectural paint.
 15. A coating material comprising a binderaccording to any of claims 1 to
 10. 16. An exterior architectural paintcomprising a binder according to any of claims 1 to
 10. 17. An elasticcoating composition comprising a binder according to any of claims 5 to10.